Friday, 27 January 2012

Chaos

Bless him, Bill has spent most of this week patching cracks, lifting carpet and painting. The goal is to redecorate the front hall, stairs and upstairs landing and all the doors of the rooms opening out from them.

It's a big job not only because of the height of the stairwell but because of the masses of books we've managed to cram into two bookcases. There are several other bookcases in the box room that I started clearing out to make room.﻿

Once I started asking myself if I wanted to re-read some of those books in the next week I was amazed at how many I was prepared to ditch. Also, how behind I am on reading the books we've acquired from the massive library sell off and from Christmas gifts Bill and I each received. I may not need to visit the library for some time.

I've just finished being held hostage by The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. I'd put off reading these books because I thought the timing of the death of their author was so sad. I saw it at the pub's trading library and plowed in as soon as I finished Truly Wilde. I am not sure if I can recommend the book or not. My dentist, seeing me carry it in from the waiting room, commented that the movie was said to be as brutal as the book, but as I was only on page 5 or so, I had no view. What I would say is, don't start this book if you have anything else you need to do....like help shift books and bookcases.﻿

13 comments:

Hello Shelley:But, now you must read the other two books in the Trilogy!!!

We can never bring ourselves to part with our books and so bookshelves, bookcases, piles and stacks of books are everywhere. So much more interesting than wallpaper we think!!

Bill is obviously making an expert job of the Hall. Although we know that preparation is the most important part, it needs great discipline to do it properly rather than leap straight into the more interesting part of painting.

Both Hubs and I have a really difficult time parting with books too. Especially very good editions or limited editions. We have a large bookcase but I think we need another! I am ruthless about getting rid of boxes, but not books!

Oh, I love your landing and reading area. Several years ago, i started limiting myself to what books could fit in my bookcase. This forces me to reprioritize annually. But I suspect DH keeps a secret stash of books somewhere.

Dear Jane and Lance, I'm not sure about the expert part, but certainly the cracks were the main reason for re-decorating, so they get special attention. I wasn't exaggerating about being taken hostage so I will be careful about when I pick up the next book; the next long haul flight seems a good time. I'm better about getting rid of books than I used to be. Bookcases instead of wallpaper sounds like a good strategy, however!

Tabitha, I know, I'm dead lucky to have Bill as he is completely amazing. There is hardly anything he can't turn his hand to if he wishes. I did offer the option of paying someone, but he chose DIY and though it's tedious having the mess, I find it easier than having a stranger traipsing around the house.

LR, We have some very old books that belonged to Bill's auntie or grandfather or something and I have the same. I'm not sure if they are first editions or anything, as it wasn't always the custom to print that information in the first pages like now.

Terri, I'm rather fond of the TV area myself, as it keeps that contraption out of the livingroom, bedroom or kitchen. My aim is to not purchase anymore book cases, but sadly we have an enormous attic that hasn't yet fallen down on our heads, but it might one day at the rate we're going...

About Me

I'm an American woman in my 60's, originally from Oklahoma, but now living in England. I write this blog mainly because I love to write, but also to share my experience of living abroad with others. I'm having a much bigger life than I ever imagined. I think it is one of the benefits of frugality, also of occasionally taking the scarier option.